Nwoye Vows to Rebuild Structure, Boost Tinubu’s Chances as he gets APC Top Southern Role

Oru Leonard 

ABUJA — A former Enugu State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, has formally declared his intention to contest for the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), position, pledging to strengthen grassroots engagement, resolve internal crises, and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview with journalists in Enugu, Nwoye said his ambition is driven by the need to reposition the party in Southern Nigeria through what he described as “purposeful and progressive mobilisation” of citizens around government policies and programmes.

According to him, the APC must move beyond rhetoric and adopt a door-to-door strategy to sensitise Nigerians on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, noting that many government interventions remain underutilised in the South due to lack of awareness.

He cited the federal government’s student loan initiative as a key example, stressing that more beneficiaries are currently drawn from Northern Nigeria because of better awareness, while many eligible Southern students remain uninformed.
“We need to institutionalise awareness. The party can set up desks in institutions to guide young people on accessing these opportunities. Education remains the bedrock of development,” he said.

Nwoye also criticised the party’s handling of employment opportunities, alleging that recruitment into government agencies is often hijacked by individuals who did not contribute to the party’s success. He called for a more transparent system that prioritises loyal party members capable of driving government policies.

On economic empowerment programmes, he pointed to ongoing federal initiatives designed to support small businesses, lamenting that many in the South are yet to benefit due to poor dissemination of information and low participation in national data systems such as the National Identification Number (NIN).

The APC chieftain further identified what he termed “leadership fatigue” within the party’s southern structure, arguing that the office of the Deputy National Chairman (South) has not been sufficiently proactive in crisis management and stakeholder engagement across states.

He cited internal disputes in states including Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers, stressing the need for decisive leadership to resolve conflicts and unify party members.
“There must be leadership that can take difficult decisions, mend fences and build bridges across the region,” he stated.

Nwoye also emphasised the importance of reuniting aggrieved party stakeholders, particularly founding members who, according to him, feel sidelined amid recent defections and political realignments.

He said his leadership would prioritise reconciliation, continuous engagement, and inclusive party-building to strengthen the APC’s base in the South.
On governance, Nwoye defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal, arguing that while the policies have caused short-term hardship, they are necessary for long-term national development.

He highlighted improvements in infrastructure, security, and agricultural output, as well as increased revenue allocations to states, which he said are enabling subnational governments to undertake major projects.
Using Enugu State as an example, Nwoye pointed to ongoing developments in education, aviation, energy and infrastructure, attributing them to federal policies that have enhanced state capacity.

He also noted ongoing efforts to decentralise power generation, describing it as a major policy shift that would allow states to generate and distribute electricity independently.

Looking ahead to 2027, Nwoye said his primary goal, if elected, would be to galvanise support for President Tinubu’s re-election by strengthening party structures across the South and improving communication between the government and citizens.“We must go beyond Abuja-based politics. The votes are with the people. We must engage them before, during and after elections,” he said.

The APC National Convention, where party officials are expected to be elected, is scheduled to hold in Abuja on March 28, 2026.